Apparatus for opening packages of laminated construction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed which provides means for holding a package in proper alignment with a shear while the apparatus is adjusted to open the package.

United States Patent Coleman 1 July 11, 1972 s41 APPARATUS FOR OPENING UNITED STATES PATENTS PACKAGES 0F LAMINATED 257,240 5/l882 Riley ..83/5l x CONSTRUCTION 2,582,021 1/1952 Ernst .83/588 x 1,283,976 1l/l9l8 Tracy et al... 83/697 x (72] lnventor. Larry R. Coleman, Phoemx, Anz. 2'l40l69 12/1938 Roseumun 83/623 x [73] Assignee: Honeywell Information Systems Inc. |93.50| 4/1940 Kmenn X 2,678,099 5/1954 Provence .........83/4

[221 Flledl B- 27, 1970 2,729,885 1/1956 Wahl et al .214/305 x Appl. No.: 67,343

Primary Examiner-F rank T. Yost Au0rneyEdward W. Hughes and Fred Jacobs 83/563, 83/588, 83/628, 83/648 [57] ABSTRACT Int. Cl ..B26d 7/02 An apparatus 15 disclosed WhlCh provldes means for holdlng a Field semi package in proper alignment with a shear while the apparatus 83/588, 628, 648, 679, 697, 623; 2 l4/304, 305 is adjusted to open the package References Cited 7 Chins, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULI 1 m2 SHEET F 2 INVENTOR LARRY R COLEMAN APPARATUS FOR OPENING PACKAGES OF LAMINATED CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to package opening devices and more particularly to an apparatus for opening small integrated circuit packages of solid laminated construction without damaging the content of the packages.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention finds particular use in research and development in the electronic components industry when it is desirable, for inspection purposes, to open an integrated circuit package to examine the contents thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Several techniques have been employed to attempt to open integrated circuit packages or the like without damaging the contents of the packages. For example, one technique previously employed to open an integrated circuit package made of ceramic material applied the technique of a diamond cutter. In this technique a sharp tool is inserted between a bonded lamination of the package and the tool is struck with a single sharp blow, with the intent of separating the package into two halves.

Another technique previously tried used a dental drill to grind through the bonded lamination of the package until the package separated into two pieces. Heating methods have also been employed where the package was brought to a high enough temperature to melt the bond at the lamination, thus allowing the package to be separated into two halves by twisting and pulling the two halves apart.

None of the above-described techniques have proven to be fully satisfactory to the extent that packages can be successfully opened the majority of the time without damaging the contents therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention alleviates these problems of the prior art by providing a mechanical apparatus for opening small fragile integrated circuit packages or other packages of laminated construction without destroying or damaging the contents of the packages.

In the present invention, for exemplary purposes, a package of laminated construction, such as an integrated circuit package, is mounted on an adjustable pedestal assembly in an aligned position with a shear assembly. The shear assembly is adjusted to apply a substantial amount of pressure to the package, thus shearing or separating the package into two portions at a point of bonded lamination between the portions. One of the portions, containing the contents of the package, is left intact on the pedestal assembly with the contents exposed for inspection purposes.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for opening a package of laminated construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for opening an integrated circuit package without damaging circuits contained therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for separating a rigid package into two portions by shearing the package at a lam ination point on the package.

Another object is to provide an integrated circuit package opener capable of holding an integrated circuit package in proper alignment with a shear assembly while the assembly is adjusted to open the package.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having adjustable holding, clamping and shearing means for opening an integrated circuit package without damaging circuits contained within the package.

Still another object is to provide a fully adjustable apparatus for opening a small rigid package of laminated construction by controlled shearing of the package into two portions.

The foregoing and other objects will become apparent as this description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be more readily described and understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. I is an isometric view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a combination elevational and cross-sectional side view of the invention of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of a fragmentary portion of another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 4 which illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. An integrated circuit package opener is illustrated as being comprised of a base I substantially rectangular in shape and fabricated, preferably, from a rigid metallic material. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 1 has formed therein a guide channel 3 which extends substantially the entire length of the base. The purpose of this guide channel will be described later. The base 1 further includes first and second adjusting means including standards 5 mounted upwardly perpendicular to the base and transverse to the length thereof, and having a spacial distance therebetween. Each of the standards 5 includes an adjusting knob 8 attached to an adjusting screw 7 which extends parallel to the length of the base and protrudes into the spacial distance between the standards 5. The purpose of the adjusting screws 7 will subsequently be described.

One of the standards 5 has an eccentric cam 9 pivotally attached to the top thereof by a screw II. The cam 9 is actuated or pivoted by an actuating means or handle 13 when operated to pivot in a direction as shown by the arrow on the cam in FIG. I.

Mounted on the base I between the standards 5 is a shear assembly 10. The shear assembly is comprised of two carriages 12, each having a guide rail 14 forming a part thereof suitably adapted to slideably fit into the guide channel 3 on the base I (FIG. 3). The relationship between the carriages 12, base I and the guide channel 3 allows the carriages to remain in aligned positions while sliding longitudinally along the length of the base. Each of the carriages 12 further includes a shear blade I6 having a tapered shearing edge 17. The shear blades 16 are each positioned parallel to the base I and secured on top of a corresponding one of the carriages I2 with screws I9. The shearing edges I7 of the shear blades 16 are in juxtapositional facing alignment with each other and extend into a spacial distance between each of the carriages I2. One of the carriages I2 has forming a part thereof a cam follower 21 which frictionally cooperates with the cam 9. The cam 9, when pivoted into a predetermined position slideably bears against the cam follower 21 on the carriage l2, forcing the carriage inwardly toward the oppositely disposed carriages, decreasing the spacial distance between the sharing edges I7.

As shown more specifically in FIG. 2, each of the carriages 12 is mechanically coupled or linked to a corresponding one of the adjusting screws 7, such that, when the adjusting screws are adjusted up against the carriages, the carriages will slide on the base 1 toward each other to close the spacial distance between the carriages.

Mounted on the base 1 is an adjustable holder 23 bordered on two sides thereof by the carriages I2. The adjustable holder 23 is used for holding an integrated circuit package 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 23 is substantially an inverted T-shaped structure having a mounted block 27 forming a part thereof. The holder 23 is mounted parallel to the base and transversely to the length thereof. Included as part of the holder are two alignment pins 29 disposed on opposite sides of the guide channel 3. The alignment pins 29 slideably fit into corresponding alignment guides 31 to keep the holder in position while it is adjusted vertically with respect to the base. Vertical adjustment of the holder is accomplished by two alignment screws 33. The alignment screws are threaded into the holder 23, and are positioned perpendicular to the surface of the base such that one end of each screw bears on the surface of the base. After an integrated circuit package 25, as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on top of the mounting block 27 of the holder 23, the alignment screws 33 are adjusted to precisely align a lamination point 35 of the integrated circuit package 25 with the sharp shearing edges 17 of the shear blades 16.

In the following explanation of the operation of the present invention, reference is specifically made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing. In FIG. 1 there is shown an integrated circuit package 25 mounted on top of the mounting block 27. The package is held securely in place on the mounting block by spring tension created by conducting leads 37 on the integrated circuit package pressing against the sides of the mounting block. The adjusting screws 7 are adjusted to move the shearing edges 17 in toward the package 25 in close relationship thereto. The alignment screws 33 are then adjusted to adjust the holder 23 in a direction perpendicular to the base to align the lamination point 35 on the integrated circuit package with the shearing edges 17. Once this latter adjustment is accomplished, the adjusting screws 7 are then adjusted until the shearing edges 17 come into finite contact with the lamination point 35. The cam 9 is then pivoted by movement of the handle I3 in a direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. The cam will come into contact with the follower 21 on associated carriage l2, forcing the carriage toward the circuit package 25 to apply a shearing pressure via blades 16 to the lamination point 35 on the circuit package. With the application of a gradually increasing pressure, exerted by the actuation of the cam, the package will be separated into two portions. Upon separation of the package, one of the portions, containing the contents of the integrated circuit package, is left intact undamaged on the surface of the mounting block 27 where it is exposed for examination purposes. The other portion of the package may be removed by lifting it off of the shear assembly where it will normally be after separation.

To remove the contents portion of the integrated circuit package from the holder, it is merely necessary to back off on the adjusting screws 7, slide the carriages away from the holder 23 and lift the contents portion of the package off of the mounting block 27.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows another embodiment of the present invention. It is readily seen that various ones of the components, as shown in the drawing of FIG.

. 5, have counterparts substantially the same as those parts previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4. For example, a base la is substantially the same as base 1 previously described. A holder 23a is mounted on the base in a slot transverse to the length of the base. The standards 50, of which only one is shown, include adjusting screws 7a with knobs 8a for adjusting carriages 12a of shear assembly 104. Included as a part of each of the carriages 12a is a shearing blade 16a for separating the integrated circuit package 25 when mounted on the holder 230. In this embodiment, some parts are utilized which are not illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. These parts consist of a clamp assembly 38, comprised of clamp carriages 40 and a clamping jaw 42 suitably attached to each carriage. Each of the carriages 40 is mechanically coupled or linked to a clamp adjusting screw 44 having a knob 46. The clamp adjusting screws 44 are threaded through standards 5a and are used to adjust the clamp carriages inwardly toward the holder 23a to securely clamp the integrated circuit package in place by compressing the conductive leads 37 between the sides of holder 23a and the jaws 42. Once the circuit package is in place on the mounting block, with the lamination point 35 of the integrated circuit package aligned with the shearing edges 170, the adjusting screws 70 are adjusted to slideably move the two carriages on the clamp assembly 38 inwardly toward the lamination point of the circuit package. Continued turning of the adjusting screws 7a will apply sufficient pressure to the circuit package to separate the package into two portions, as previously described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp assembly carriages 40 and the shear assembly carriages 120 each contain at least one guide pin 48, which is mounted horizontal to the base and lengthwise thereto. Each of the guide pins 48 slideably fits into a corresponding pin guide 50 in each of the carriages 12a and 40. Mounted between each of the carriages I20 and 40 on each of the pins 48 is a helical tension spring 52 which provides a positive pressure against the carriages such that, when the adjusting screws 70 and 44 are adjusted outwardly, the carriages will follow the adjusting screws and move toward the ends of the base. This feature of the guide pins 48, pin guides 50 and the tension springs 52 is not shown in the embodiment of FIGS. I through 4, however, it is readily apparent that this feature could easily be incorporated into that embodiment of the invention.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for opening a package of laminated construction, comprising:

a. a base;

b. a holder mounted on one surface of said base;

c. a mounting block rigidly mounted on said holder for holding the package of laminated construction;

d. a pair of alignment screws threaded through said holder perpendicular to the one surface of said base, each of said alignment screws having one end thereof in contact with said base;

e. first and second carriages slideably mounted on the one surface of said base and disposed on opposite sides of said holder;

f. a shearing blade attached to each of said first and second carriages, said pair of alignment screws aligning the package with said shearing blades to contact the lamination of the package; and

g. an adjusting means attached to the one surface of said base, and coupled to said first and second carriages for moving said shearing blades into contact with the package in alignment with the lamination of the package to open the package.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim I, wherein said adjusting means comprises:

first and second standards mounted on the one surface of said base; and

an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards, each of said adjusting screws coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages, whereby said carriages are moved on said base toward the package by rotating said adjusting screws, thereby opening the package when said shearing blades provide a substantial pressure at the lamination of the package.

3. An apparatus for separating a package of laminated construction at a point of lamination of the package, comprising:

a. a base,

b. a holder mounted on one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction;

c. first and second carriages slideably mounted on one sur face of said base and disposed on opposite sides of said InlnAA nut.

holder, said first carriage including a cam follower, and each of said carriages adapted to slide horizontal to said base and aligned to slide toward each other and toward said holder;

d. a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages for separating the package, said shearing blades mounted horizontal to said base and extending toward said holder;

e. first and second adjusting means mounted on the one surface of said base for adjusting said carriages, said first and second adjusting means coupled to said first and second carriages respectively; and

f. an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on said first adjusting means, said cam aligned with said first carriage and coming into contact with said cam follower to move said first carriage toward said second carriage and toward the package when said cam is pivoted to separate the package via said shearing blades,

4. An apparatus for opening an integrated circuit package,

comprising:

a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a channel formed in one surface thereof, the channel extending substantially the length of said base;

a pedestal for holding the integrated circuit package mounted on the one surface of said base;

a pair of carriages slideably mounted in the channel on said base and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal;

a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages, said blades mounted horizontal to said base in an aligned facing relationship and extending toward said pedestal;

a standard mounted substantially on each end of said base and extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base;

an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards and extending horizontal to the length of said base, said adjusting screws each coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for moving said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the integrated circuit package on said pedestal when said adjusting screws are adjusted toward said carriages; and

an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on a one of said standards in substantial alignment with an associated one of said carriages, said cam coming into contact with said associated carriage when said cam is pivoted, whereby said associated carriage is moved toward said pedestal causing said shearing blades to apply a substantial pressure to the package to open the package.

5. An apparatus for opening an integrated circuit package comprising:

a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a channel formed in one surface thereof, the channel extending substantially the length of the base;

a pedestal mounted on the one surface of said base for holding the integrated circuit package;

a pair of carriages slideably mounted in the channel on said base and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal;

a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages, said blades mounted horizontal to said base in an aligned facing relationship and extending toward said pedestal;

a cam follower forming a part of a one of said carriages;

a standard mounted substantially on each end of said base and extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base;

an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards and extending horizontal to the length of said base, said adjusting screws each coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for moving said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the integrated circuit package when said adjusting screws are adjusted toward said carriages; and

an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on a one of said standards in substantial alignment with said cam follower, said cam coming into contact with said cam follower when said cam is pivoted, whereby said one of said car- 5 struction at a point of lamination of the package, comprising:

a. a base substantially rectangular in shape;

b. a pedestal mounted on one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction;

. a clamping assembly slideably mounted on the one surface of said base, said assembly disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal for applying clamping pressure to the package mounted on said pedestal;

. a shear assembly slideably mounted on said clamping assembly and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal in alignment with the lamination of the package;

e. a standard mounted on each end of said base, said stan dards extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base; and first and second adjusting screws threaded through each of said standards, said screws extending parallel to and lengthwise of said base, said first adjusting screws coupled to said clamping assembly for sliding said clamping assembly toward said pedestal to clamp the package in a predetermined position on said pedestal when said first adjusting screws are rotated, and said second adjusting screws coupled to said shear assembly for sliding said shear assembly toward the package when said second adjusting screws are rotated to open the package when said shear assembly makes substantial contact at the lamination of the package.

7. An apparatus for separating a package of laminated construction, comprising:

a. a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a guide channel formed in one surface thereof, the guide channel extending substantially the length of said base, said base further including a plurality of alignment guides formed in the one surface thereof, the guides being adjacent to and on opposite sides of the guide channel and extending through said base perpendicular to the one surface of said base;

b. an adjustable holder mounted on the one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction and for aligning the package in a predetermined position, said holder including,

a plurality of alignment pins equal in number to the number of alignment guides mounted in said holder, each pin slideably fitting into a corresponding one of the alignment guides, and

two alignment screws threaded through said holder, said alignment screws positioned perpendicular to the one surface of said base, and each alignment screw having one end thereof in contact with the one surface;

c. a pair of carriages slideably mounted on the one surface of said base on opposite sides of said adjustable holder, each of said carriages including a guide rail adapted to fit into the guide channel of said base, and further including a shearing blade attached thereto, said blades mounted parallel to said base and extending from said carriages toward said adjustable holder;

d. a standard mounted on each end of said base, said standards extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base;

e. an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards, said adjusting screws mounted horizontal to and lengthwise of said base, each of said adjusting screws coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for sliding said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the package; and

f. an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on one of said standards, said cam being in substantial contact alignment with one of said carriages for moving the associated shearing blade of said one carriage into contact with the package to separate the package when said cam is pivoted. 

1. An apparatus for opening a package of laminated construction, comprising: a. a base; b. a holder mounted on one surface of said base; c. a mounting block rigidly mounted on said holder for holding the package of laminated construction; d. a pair of alignment screws threaded through said holder perpendicular to the one surface of said base, each of said alignment screws having one end thereof in contact with said base; e. first and second carriages slideably mounted on the one surface of said base and disposed on opposite sides of said holder; f. a shearing blade attached to each of said first and second carriages, said pair of alignment screws aligning the package with said shearing blades to contact the lamination of the package; and g. an adjusting means attached to the one surface of said base, and coupled to said first and second carriages for moving said shearing blades into contact with the package in alignment with the lamiNation of the package to open the package.
 2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises: first and second standards mounted on the one surface of said base; and an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards, each of said adjusting screws coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages, whereby said carriages are moved on said base toward the package by rotating said adjusting screws, thereby opening the package when said shearing blades provide a substantial pressure at the lamination of the package.
 3. An apparatus for separating a package of laminated construction at a point of lamination of the package, comprising: a. a base; b. a holder mounted on one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction; c. first and second carriages slideably mounted on one surface of said base and disposed on opposite sides of said holder, said first carriage including a cam follower, and each of said carriages adapted to slide horizontal to said base and aligned to slide toward each other and toward said holder; d. a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages for separating the package, said shearing blades mounted horizontal to said base and extending toward said holder; e. first and second adjusting means mounted on the one surface of said base for adjusting said carriages, said first and second adjusting means coupled to said first and second carriages respectively; and f. an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on said first adjusting means, said cam aligned with said first carriage and coming into contact with said cam follower to move said first carriage toward said second carriage and toward the package when said cam is pivoted to separate the package via said shearing blades.
 4. An apparatus for opening an integrated circuit package, comprising: a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a channel formed in one surface thereof, the channel extending substantially the length of said base; a pedestal for holding the integrated circuit package mounted on the one surface of said base; a pair of carriages slideably mounted in the channel on said base and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal; a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages, said blades mounted horizontal to said base in an aligned facing relationship and extending toward said pedestal; a standard mounted substantially on each end of said base and extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base; an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards and extending horizontal to the length of said base, said adjusting screws each coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for moving said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the integrated circuit package on said pedestal when said adjusting screws are adjusted toward said carriages; and an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on a one of said standards in substantial alignment with an associated one of said carriages, said cam coming into contact with said associated carriage when said cam is pivoted, whereby said associated carriage is moved toward said pedestal causing said shearing blades to apply a substantial pressure to the package to open the package.
 5. An apparatus for opening an integrated circuit package comprising: a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a channel formed in one surface thereof, the channel extending substantially the length of the base; a pedestal mounted on the one surface of said base for holding the integrated circuit package; a pair of carriages slideably mounted in the channel on said base and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal; a shearing blade mounted on each of said carriages, said blades mounted horizontal to said base in an aligned facing relationship and extending toward said pedestal; a cam follower forming a part of a one of said carrIages; a standard mounted substantially on each end of said base and extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base; an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards and extending horizontal to the length of said base, said adjusting screws each coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for moving said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the integrated circuit package when said adjusting screws are adjusted toward said carriages; and an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on a one of said standards in substantial alignment with said cam follower, said cam coming into contact with said cam follower when said cam is pivoted, whereby said one of said carriages is moved toward said pedestal causing said shearing blades to apply a substantial pressure to the package to open the package.
 6. An apparatus for opening a package of laminated construction at a point of lamination of the package, comprising: a. a base substantially rectangular in shape; b. a pedestal mounted on one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction; c. a clamping assembly slideably mounted on the one surface of said base, said assembly disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal for applying clamping pressure to the package mounted on said pedestal; d. a shear assembly slideably mounted on said clamping assembly and disposed on opposite sides of said pedestal in alignment with the lamination of the package; e. a standard mounted on each end of said base, said standards extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base; and f. first and second adjusting screws threaded through each of said standards, said screws extending parallel to and lengthwise of said base, said first adjusting screws coupled to said clamping assembly for sliding said clamping assembly toward said pedestal to clamp the package in a predetermined position on said pedestal when said first adjusting screws are rotated, and said second adjusting screws coupled to said shear assembly for sliding said shear assembly toward the package when said second adjusting screws are rotated to open the package when said shear assembly makes substantial contact at the lamination of the package.
 7. An apparatus for separating a package of laminated construction, comprising: a. a base substantially rectangular in shape, said base having a guide channel formed in one surface thereof, the guide channel extending substantially the length of said base, said base further including a plurality of alignment guides formed in the one surface thereof, the guides being adjacent to and on opposite sides of the guide channel and extending through said base perpendicular to the one surface of said base; b. an adjustable holder mounted on the one surface of said base for holding the package of laminated construction and for aligning the package in a predetermined position, said holder including, a plurality of alignment pins equal in number to the number of alignment guides mounted in said holder, each pin slideably fitting into a corresponding one of the alignment guides, and two alignment screws threaded through said holder, said alignment screws positioned perpendicular to the one surface of said base, and each alignment screw having one end thereof in contact with the one surface; c. a pair of carriages slideably mounted on the one surface of said base on opposite sides of said adjustable holder, each of said carriages including a guide rail adapted to fit into the guide channel of said base, and further including a shearing blade attached thereto, said blades mounted parallel to said base and extending from said carriages toward said adjustable holder; d. a standard mounted on each end of said base, said standards extending upwardly perpendicular to the one surface of said base; e. an adjusting screw threaded through each of said standards, said adjusting screws mounted horizontal To and lengthwise of said base, each of said adjusting screws coupled to a corresponding one of said carriages for sliding said carriages and associated shearing blades into relative contact with the package; and f. an eccentric cam pivotally mounted on one of said standards, said cam being in substantial contact alignment with one of said carriages for moving the associated shearing blade of said one carriage into contact with the package to separate the package when said cam is pivoted. 